Hey everybody, the Madden predictions are back! Why all of the long faces? Oh, because of what I just wrote -- the Madden predictions are back. Well, don't be so glum. Thankfully, many of the Broncos fans who were upset with me because I predicted a Seahawks blowout in this space last season know that it's not my fault.

Although, I did repeat my Seahawks blowout pick in this space here and I wasn't asked to participate in the reindeer games because I was the closest. Oh well, such is life.

Here are my predictions for the coming season. Feel free to let me know what an idiot I am down below. Don't worry, I'm a big boy. I can take it.

Outlook: The Chargers made the playoffs under first-year head coach Mike McCoy and upset the Bengals in the first round. Well, if you consider beating the Bengals in the playoffs an upset -- most do not.

Outlook: The Cardinals finished 10-6, but missed the playoffs. Funny, I'm trying to recall the outrage of a 10-6 Birds squad missing the playoffs while the 8-7-1 Packers hosted a playoff game. Oh, that's right, nobody cares as long as it screws a West division team.

Prediction: The Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl again. Maybe. But the team is not going to have any noticeable drop off. Pete Carroll knows a thing or two about getting a team to repeat a championship season. This team is younger and maybe a little bit hungrier.

Player most likely to get a boost: Tim Wright is a pretty good fit for this offense and will play alongside Rob Gronkowski and thrive.

Prediction: The Patriots reach the AFC Championship Game. Again. They knock off the Chargers to reach the Super Bowl where they face off against the, well, I don't want to spoil some NFC team's prediction.

Player most likely to get a boost:Terrance Williams. Well the Cowboys defense didnât do well last year. And it could be worse this year. But that means more chances for the Cowboys to throw the ball, which means Williams is going to have a prolific season.

Prediction: The Cowboys finish 4-12, and somebody will have to take a fall. GM Jerry Jones, appears safe, so my conjecture is it will be Jason Garrett. And then begins the courtship of Nick Saban.

Outlook: Washington has a new coach, Jay Gruden! Not Jon Gruden, mind you. Jay Gruden. Yeah, how many meetings do you think the team's brass went through before they realized, "Wait a minute, this isn't the guy who coached the Bucs! I thought he looked different from 'Monday Night Football.'"

Player most likely to get a boost:Torrey Smith. Just a feeling. If Gary Kubiak wants to get another head coaching gig, he needs to throw the ball. That means Joe Flacco. And Flacco can't get it down without Smith.

Prediction:Bernard Pierce crushes it right out of the gate, and that other guy doesn't get much of a chance to work back into the mix.

Prediction: The Steelers miss the playoffs, which is starting to become the norm in the 'Burgh. Seriously, the Pirates are a much more legitimate contender than the Steelers. But Antonio Brown leads the league in receptions.

Prediction: The Vikings won't be terrible, but they are the third-best in one of the league's best divisions. And playing in the snow is going to make the team rethink its position to have an indoor stadium. But probably not.

AFC SOUTH

Andrew Luck and the Colts will have some stiff competition in the AFC South. (EA Sports)

Player most likely to get a boost: Yeah, the Jadeveon Clowney rating is kind of a joke. If you leave him at linebacker. Move him to the defensive line and he's in the 90s. You won't have to go to such extremes after this season.

Prediction: Another down year for the Texans, but don't worry, Brett Hundley is on the way!

Outlook: The Saints battled through injuries in 2013, but are fully healthy this season.

Highest rated player:Jimmy Graham (97). Hmmm. I'm not sure I can get down with this. He might be the best player in the game. IN. THE. GAME.

Player most likely to get a boost:Mark Ingram. The former bust from Alabama has looked really good during the preseason and figures to have a lock on the No. 1 running back spot.

Prediction: The Saints will win the NFC South. And Graham will set an NFL record with 25 touchdown receptions this season. And he'll go for the dunk on the 24th and pull the goalpost down to cause a 16-minute delay which will lead him to get suspended for the playoffs, which the Saints will lose.